EP0689074A1 - Apparatus for use in interconnecting optical fibres - Google Patents
Apparatus for use in interconnecting optical fibres Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0689074A1 EP0689074A1 EP95303845A EP95303845A EP0689074A1 EP 0689074 A1 EP0689074 A1 EP 0689074A1 EP 95303845 A EP95303845 A EP 95303845A EP 95303845 A EP95303845 A EP 95303845A EP 0689074 A1 EP0689074 A1 EP 0689074A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- tubes
- support
- connector
- tube
- group
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 29
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000003491 array Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 abstract description 9
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008602 contraction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004927 fusion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
- G02B6/4457—Bobbins; Reels
- G02B6/4458—Coiled, e.g. extensible helix
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
- G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
- G02B6/4452—Distribution frames
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
- G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
- G02B6/4452—Distribution frames
- G02B6/44524—Distribution frames with frame parts or auxiliary devices mounted on the frame and collectively not covering a whole width of the frame or rack
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
- G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
- G02B6/44528—Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
- G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
- G02B6/4453—Cassettes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
- G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
- G02B6/4453—Cassettes
- G02B6/4455—Cassettes characterised by the way of extraction or insertion of the cassette in the distribution frame, e.g. pivoting, sliding, rotating or gliding
Definitions
- This invention relates to apparatus for use in interconnecting optical fibres, and more particularly to such an apparatus in which the interconnections are located on a support which is slidably moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, whereby the interconnections can be accessed.
- An object of the present invention is to enable this problem to be overcome.
- the present invention provides apparatus for use in interconnecting optical fibres, comprising a support, means for locating interconnections between the fibres on said support, support means for slidably supporting said support for movement between a retracted position and an extended position, and at least one flexible tube connectable to said support for guiding at least one optical fibre thereto, the or each tube having a substantially helical configuration over at least a portion of its extent locatable behind said support for accommodating said sliding movement of said support.
- the helical configuration is able to stretch along its axis when the support is slid from its retracted position to its extended position and to contract along its axis when the support is slid from its extended position to its retracted position whilst maintaining bend radii greater than a predetermined minimum radius and without any accompanying stretching or contraction, or kinking or any other deformation, of the tube itself.
- the apparatus comprises a plurality of said tubes, each being connectable to a respective further tube located on said support, said further tubes being connected to said interconnection locating means.
- each of these embodiments comprise tube connector means on said support for connecting said tubes with said further tubes, said connector means providing a releasable connection for said tubes and/or said further tubes, whereby each tube is selectively connectable to any one of a plurality of further tubes. This is advantageous since it allows the selective routeing of fibres in the tubes to the interconnection locating means.
- the connector means may comprise at least one block providing a plurality of through-passages and means for connecting said tubes and further tubes to respective ends of said through passages.
- the interconnection locating means may comprise at least one bank of housings on said support, each housing being adapted to locate at least one connection between two optical fibres.
- each housing in each bank is moveable out of alignment with the remainder of said housings thereof for providing access to the or each optical fibre connection located therein.
- At least one further housing accommodating a passive optical device and provided with input/output connections for test purposes may be associated with each or at least one bank of housings.
- the apparatus may comprise a connector array locatable on or to at least one of the two opposed sides of the apparatus which extend in the direction of said sliding movement for connecting said tubes to ducting means located to the or each side for ducting optical fibres to the apparatus.
- Two of said connector arrays may be provided one on or to each of said sides, and in this case said tubes may be spaced apart behind said support between said sides, a first group of tubes being closer to one of said sides and a second group of tubes being closer to the other of said sides, wherein some of the said first group tubes and some of said second group tubes are connected to the connector array on or to said one side and the remainder of said first group tubes and the remainder of said second group tubes are connected to the connector array on or to said other side.
- the apparatus may comprise means for slidably supporting said support means for movement between a retracted position and an extended position in the same direction as said sliding movement of said support.
- the or each connector array is mounted on said support means and extends substantially in the direction of said sliding movement.
- each connector means may be mounted to said support means, or a part to which said support means is fixed, and extend in a direction which is transverse the direction of said sliding movement.
- the invention also includes apparatus for use in interconnecting optical fibres comprising a support means for locating interconnections between the fibres on the support, tube connector means on the support for connecting a plurality of tubes for guiding optical fibres to the support with respective further tubes connected to said interconnection locating means, said connector means providing a releasable connection for said tubes and/or said further tubes, whereby each tube is selectively connectable to any one of a plurality of further tubes.
- the apparatus 10 illustrated therein comprises a support 12, hereinafter referred to as a shelf, which supports means, generally referenced 14, for locating interconnections between optical fibres.
- the shelf 12 is slidably supported by a support means 16, hereinafter referred to as an intermediate shelf, for movement between a retracted position ( Figure 2) and an extended position relative to the intermediate shelf 16.
- the extended position provides access to the fibre interconnection locating means 14.
- the intermediate shelf 16 is itself slidably supported by a support means 18 which is mountable to a wall, rack or the like so as to extend substantially horizontally therefrom.
- the support means comprises two brackets 18A and 18B which in use are mounted by means of respective flanges 20A and 20B a predetermined distance apart to slidably support the intermediate shelf 16 for movement between a retracted position and an extended position in the same direction as the direction of sliding movement of the shelf 12.
- the components 12, 16 and 18 are provided with conventional slideways (not shown) to provide said sliding movement between the shelf 12 and intermediate shelf 16 and between the intermediate shelf 16 and the brackets 18.
- the apparatus when the apparatus is in a fully contracted condition with both the shelf and the intermediate shelf in their retracted positions, (i) the shelf 12 may be moved to its extended position, (ii) the intermediate shelf 16 may be moved to its extended position, and (iii) both the shelf and the intermediate shelf may be moved to their respective extended positions.
- the apparatus is mounted in vertical banks with similar apparatus and with optical fibres interconnected in the apparatus running up or down one or more usually both sides of these banks.
- movement of the shelf 12 to its extended position relative to the intermediate shelf 16 provides access to components on the shelf 12 and movement of the intermediate shelf 16 to its extended position relative to the brackets 18 provides access to components on the intermediate shelf from the front of the apparatus.
- each shelf 12 in a vertical bank of apparatus may be moved independently of the other shelves.
- each flexible tube 22 has a substantially helical configuration over at least a portion 24 of its extent which is located behind the shelf 12 for accommodating the sliding movement of the shelf between its retracted position (as illustrated in Figure 2) and its extended position.
- the portion of helical configuration comprises a plurality of turns, but it is to be understood that this portion may comprise only one turn.
- Each flexible tube 22 is formed of a plastics or metal material and is preformed with its helically configured portion 24.
- the helically configured portion is able to stretch from its normal, unstressed condition which it adopts when the shelf 12 is in its retracted position, to accommodate movement of the shelf when the shelf is slid from its retracted position to its extended position, and to contract back to its normal position when the shelf 12 is slid back to its retracted position.
- the tube itself does not stretch or contract and the bend radii of the turns of the helical portion are arranged to be greater than the predetermined minimum bend radius of the optical fibre guided thereby.
- the wall thickness and/or configuration is such that there will be no damage to a fibre within the tube caused for example by kinking or other deformation during such movement.
- Each flexible tube 22 is connected with a respective further tube 26 located on the shelf and connected to the fibre interconnection location means 14. Connection between a tube 22 and a further tube 26 is via a connector means 28 on the shelf 12 which provides a releasable connection for at least one of the tubes 22, 26 so that each tube 22 may be selectively connected to any one of a plurality of tubes 26.
- the connector means comprises a plurality of connector devices or blocks 30, each of which provides a plurality of through-passages and means for connecting the tubes 22 and further tubes 26 to respective ends of the through passages.
- Figure 2 illustrates the connection of one tube 22 to one tube 26 via a block 30 and a through-passage 32 therein.
- Each connector array 34 comprises a plurality of devices having through-passages 38 to the inner ends of which are connected respective tubes 22 and the outer ends of which are connectable to fibre ducting means (not shown), which may also comprise tubes, located to each side of the apparatus for ducting optical fibres to the apparatus.
- the tubes 22 are spaced apart behind the shelf 12 between the opposed sides 36, 37.
- a first group 40 of eight tubes is closer to the side 36 than the side 37 and a second group 42 of eight tubes is closer to the side 37 than the side 36.
- the interconnecting means 14 comprises two banks 44, 46 of housings 48, bank 44 being closer to side 36 than side 37 and bank 46 being closer to side 37 than side 36.
- the first group 40 of tubes 22 are connected to further tubes 26 connected to the bank 44 and the second group 42 of tubes are connected to further tubes connected to the bank 46.
- the tubes 22 are connected to the underside of connector blocks 30 and the tubes 26 to the uppersides thereof.
- Each bank 44, 46 has two associated connector blocks 30.
- these blocks are referenced 30A, B, C and D.
- Blocks 30A and B are connected to tubes 22 from group 40, block 30A being connected to tubes 22 in that group connected to the connector array on side 37 and block 30B being connected to the tubes 22 in the same group connected to the connection array on side 36.
- Blocks 30C and D on the other hand are connected to tubes 22 from group 42, block 30C being connected to the tubes 22 in that group connected to the connector array on side 37 and block 30D being connected to the connector array on side 36.
- bank 44 is shown arranged for connecting two optical fibres from side 37, which have been guided to block 30A, to two optical fibres from side 36, which have been guided to block 30B.
- each of the four through passages 32 in each block has a respective tube 22 connected to its lower end and each tube 26 may be connected to a selected one of the through-passages at its upper end to form a continuous passageway from one of the connector arrays to one of the banks.
- Each housing 48 in each bank thereof is adapted to locate at least one connection between two optical fibres guided thereto.
- Each housing also includes storage space for housing excess fibre length and is provided with path defining means for locating the fibres within the housing along paths which do not have bends with radii less than the predetermined minimum bend radius of the optical fibres.
- Each housing 48 in each bank 44, 46 is moveable out of alignment with the remainder of the housings in its bank in order to provide access to the or each optical fibre connection therein or the locations for such connections.
- each housing 48 is pivotably mounted with respect to the other housings in its bank about a respective vertical axis 50 indicated by reference 50 in Figure 4.
- housings may be substantially the same as the housings for housing optical fibre connections disclosed in our co-pending UK Patent Application No. 9320101.0 to which attention is directed if further information is required.
- Each bank 44, 46 may have associated with it at least one housing accommodating a passive optical device and provided with connections for test purposes. In practice each such further housing would be provided in the in place of a housing 48.
- the second embodiment differs for the first embodiment in that the intermediate shelf 16, which slidably supports the shelf 12, is fixedly mounted to the wall, rack or the like, to which the support brackets 18 of the first embodiment are mounted, either directly or via mounting brackets. Since the intermediate shelf 16 itself is not slidably mounted, access to the connector arrays 34 would be limited if the connector arrays were mounted on the shelf extending in the direction of sliding movement as in the first embodiment.
- each connector array 34 is mounted to the intermediate shelf 16 or a part, such as a rack part, to which the intermediate shelf 16 is fixed, to extend in a direction which is transverse the direction of sliding movement.
- the connector arrays 34 are located to each side of the apparatus at the front thereof and are readily accessible.
- the tubes 22 are arranged in two groups 40, 42 as in the first embodiment and for the sake of clarity the tubes 22 connected to the connector array 34 to side 36 of the apparatus have been illustrated by broken lines.
- each of the disclosed apparatus enables optical fibres to each side of the apparatus to be interconnected in a managed way using the tubes 22 and 26 to guide the fibres to desired housings 48 for interconnection therein. It will also be understood that the use of connector blocks 30 for making connections between the tubes 22 and 26 provides for flexibility in the routeing of fibres within the apparatus.
- the apparatus will be used for interconnecting an optical fibre running on one side of the apparatus to an optical fibre running on the other side thereof.
- the shelf 12 is moved to its extended position to provide access to the banks 44, 46 of housings 48
- the intermediate shelf 16 is moved to its extended position to provide access to the connector arrays 34.
- a particular housing 48 is selected for locating the connection and pivoted out of alignment with the other housings in its bank.
- a respective tube 22 extending from each of the connector arrays 34 is connected to a further tube extending from that housing. The fibres are then fed through the respective tubes 22 and further tubes connected thereto into the housing 48. If the intermediate shelf 16 is slidable, it is then slid back to its retracted position.
- the fibres are interconnected, typically by being fusion spliced together, and the interconnection and any excess fibre is located in the housing.
- the housing is pivoted back into alignment with the other housings in its bank and the shelf 12 slid back to its retracted position.
- an optical fibre assembly for blown installation comprising an optical fibre unit comprising at least one optical fibre is blown through a tube 22 and a further tube 26 connected thereto from the connector of the connector array 34 to which the tube 22 is connected directly into the housing 48 to which the further tube 26 is connected.
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to apparatus for use in interconnecting optical fibres, and more particularly to such an apparatus in which the interconnections are located on a support which is slidably moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, whereby the interconnections can be accessed.
- Such an apparatus is disclosed in EP-A-0356942 and EP-A-0341027. A problem with the apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications is that the path of the optical fibres extending to and from the support is not positively controlled to have more than a minimum bend radius during said sliding movement.
- An object of the present invention is to enable this problem to be overcome.
- Accordingly, the present invention provides apparatus for use in interconnecting optical fibres, comprising a support, means for locating interconnections between the fibres on said support, support means for slidably supporting said support for movement between a retracted position and an extended position, and at least one flexible tube connectable to said support for guiding at least one optical fibre thereto, the or each tube having a substantially helical configuration over at least a portion of its extent locatable behind said support for accommodating said sliding movement of said support.
- It will be understood that the helical configuration is able to stretch along its axis when the support is slid from its retracted position to its extended position and to contract along its axis when the support is slid from its extended position to its retracted position whilst maintaining bend radii greater than a predetermined minimum radius and without any accompanying stretching or contraction, or kinking or any other deformation, of the tube itself.
- In the two embodiments of the invention described hereinafter, the apparatus comprises a plurality of said tubes, each being connectable to a respective further tube located on said support, said further tubes being connected to said interconnection locating means.
- Furthermore, each of these embodiments comprise tube connector means on said support for connecting said tubes with said further tubes, said connector means providing a releasable connection for said tubes and/or said further tubes, whereby each tube is selectively connectable to any one of a plurality of further tubes. This is advantageous since it allows the selective routeing of fibres in the tubes to the interconnection locating means.
- The connector means may comprise at least one block providing a plurality of through-passages and means for connecting said tubes and further tubes to respective ends of said through passages.
- The interconnection locating means may comprise at least one bank of housings on said support, each housing being adapted to locate at least one connection between two optical fibres.
- Preferably, each housing in each bank is moveable out of alignment with the remainder of said housings thereof for providing access to the or each optical fibre connection located therein.
- Advantageously, at least one further housing accommodating a passive optical device and provided with input/output connections for test purposes may be associated with each or at least one bank of housings.
- The apparatus may comprise a connector array locatable on or to at least one of the two opposed sides of the apparatus which extend in the direction of said sliding movement for connecting said tubes to ducting means located to the or each side for ducting optical fibres to the apparatus.
- Two of said connector arrays may be provided one on or to each of said sides, and in this case said tubes may be spaced apart behind said support between said sides, a first group of tubes being closer to one of said sides and a second group of tubes being closer to the other of said sides, wherein some of the said first group tubes and some of said second group tubes are connected to the connector array on or to said one side and the remainder of said first group tubes and the remainder of said second group tubes are connected to the connector array on or to said other side.
- With the arrangement defined in the last preceding paragraph, when two banks of housings are located on said support, a first of which is closer to said one side than said other side and the second of which is closer to said other side than said one side, preferably said first group of tubes are connected to further tubes connected to said first bank and said second group of tubes are connected to further tubes connected to said second bank.
- The apparatus may comprise means for slidably supporting said support means for movement between a retracted position and an extended position in the same direction as said sliding movement of said support. In this case, preferably the or each connector array is mounted on said support means and extends substantially in the direction of said sliding movement.
- As an alternative, however, the or each connector means may be mounted to said support means, or a part to which said support means is fixed, and extend in a direction which is transverse the direction of said sliding movement.
- The invention also includes apparatus for use in interconnecting optical fibres comprising a support means for locating interconnections between the fibres on the support, tube connector means on the support for connecting a plurality of tubes for guiding optical fibres to the support with respective further tubes connected to said interconnection locating means, said connector means providing a releasable connection for said tubes and/or said further tubes, whereby each tube is selectively connectable to any one of a plurality of further tubes.
- In order that the invention may be well understood, two embodiments thereof, which are given by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is an exploded schematic view of an apparatus for interconnecting optical fibres with tubing of the apparatus omitted;
- Figures 2 and 3 are respectively schematic side and top plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1 in a contracted condition;
- Figure 4 is a schematic top plan view of part of the apparatus of Figure 1; and
- Figure 5 is a schematic top plan view of an alternative apparatus.
- Referring first to Figures 1 to 4, the
apparatus 10 illustrated therein comprises asupport 12, hereinafter referred to as a shelf, which supports means, generally referenced 14, for locating interconnections between optical fibres. Theshelf 12 is slidably supported by a support means 16, hereinafter referred to as an intermediate shelf, for movement between a retracted position (Figure 2) and an extended position relative to theintermediate shelf 16. - The extended position provides access to the fibre interconnection locating means 14. The
intermediate shelf 16 is itself slidably supported by a support means 18 which is mountable to a wall, rack or the like so as to extend substantially horizontally therefrom. As shown the support means comprises twobrackets respective flanges intermediate shelf 16 for movement between a retracted position and an extended position in the same direction as the direction of sliding movement of theshelf 12. Thecomponents shelf 12 andintermediate shelf 16 and between theintermediate shelf 16 and thebrackets 18. - As will be appreciated when the apparatus is in a fully contracted condition with both the shelf and the intermediate shelf in their retracted positions, (i) the
shelf 12 may be moved to its extended position, (ii) theintermediate shelf 16 may be moved to its extended position, and (iii) both the shelf and the intermediate shelf may be moved to their respective extended positions. In use, the apparatus is mounted in vertical banks with similar apparatus and with optical fibres interconnected in the apparatus running up or down one or more usually both sides of these banks. Thus, movement of theshelf 12 to its extended position relative to theintermediate shelf 16 provides access to components on theshelf 12 and movement of theintermediate shelf 16 to its extended position relative to thebrackets 18 provides access to components on the intermediate shelf from the front of the apparatus. Of course, eachshelf 12 in a vertical bank of apparatus may be moved independently of the other shelves. -
Flexible tubes 22 are provided for guiding optical fibres from the sides of the apparatus to theshelf 12. As schematically illustrated in Figure 2, eachflexible tube 22 has a substantially helical configuration over at least aportion 24 of its extent which is located behind theshelf 12 for accommodating the sliding movement of the shelf between its retracted position (as illustrated in Figure 2) and its extended position. As schematically illustrated the portion of helical configuration comprises a plurality of turns, but it is to be understood that this portion may comprise only one turn. Eachflexible tube 22 is formed of a plastics or metal material and is preformed with its helically configuredportion 24. The helically configured portion is able to stretch from its normal, unstressed condition which it adopts when theshelf 12 is in its retracted position, to accommodate movement of the shelf when the shelf is slid from its retracted position to its extended position, and to contract back to its normal position when theshelf 12 is slid back to its retracted position. During both such sliding movements the tube itself does not stretch or contract and the bend radii of the turns of the helical portion are arranged to be greater than the predetermined minimum bend radius of the optical fibre guided thereby. Furthermore, the wall thickness and/or configuration is such that there will be no damage to a fibre within the tube caused for example by kinking or other deformation during such movement. - Each
flexible tube 22 is connected with a respectivefurther tube 26 located on the shelf and connected to the fibre interconnection location means 14. Connection between atube 22 and afurther tube 26 is via a connector means 28 on theshelf 12 which provides a releasable connection for at least one of thetubes tube 22 may be selectively connected to any one of a plurality oftubes 26. As illustrated, the connector means comprises a plurality of connector devices orblocks 30, each of which provides a plurality of through-passages and means for connecting thetubes 22 andfurther tubes 26 to respective ends of the through passages. Figure 2 illustrates the connection of onetube 22 to onetube 26 via ablock 30 and a through-passage 32 therein. - The ends of the
tubes 22 remote from theconnector blocks 30 are connected toconnector arrays 34 located on the two opposedsides shelves connector array 34 comprises a plurality of devices having through-passages 38 to the inner ends of which are connectedrespective tubes 22 and the outer ends of which are connectable to fibre ducting means (not shown), which may also comprise tubes, located to each side of the apparatus for ducting optical fibres to the apparatus. As will be appreciated from Figures 2 and 3, thetubes 22 are spaced apart behind theshelf 12 between theopposed sides first group 40 of eight tubes is closer to theside 36 than theside 37 and asecond group 42 of eight tubes is closer to theside 37 than theside 36. However, as seen from Figure 3, some of the tubes from thegroup 40 and some of the tubes from the group 42 (shown as half in each case) are connected to the connector array onside 36 and the remainder of the tubes from the two groups are connected to the connector array on theside 37. The above arrangement facilitates interconnection of fibres from each side of the apparatus as the interconnecting means 14 comprises twobanks housings 48,bank 44 being closer toside 36 thanside 37 andbank 46 being closer toside 37 thanside 36. Thefirst group 40 oftubes 22 are connected tofurther tubes 26 connected to thebank 44 and thesecond group 42 of tubes are connected to further tubes connected to thebank 46. Thus interconnections of fibres guided in the tubes ofgroup 40 are made inbank 44 and interconnections of fibres guided in the tubes ofgroup 42 are made inbank 46. - As illustrated in Figure 2, the
tubes 22 are connected to the underside ofconnector blocks 30 and thetubes 26 to the uppersides thereof. Eachbank connector blocks 30. In Figure 4 these blocks are referenced 30A, B, C andD. Blocks 30A and B are connected totubes 22 fromgroup 40,block 30A being connected totubes 22 in that group connected to the connector array onside 37 andblock 30B being connected to thetubes 22 in the same group connected to the connection array onside 36.Blocks 30C and D on the other hand are connected totubes 22 fromgroup 42,block 30C being connected to thetubes 22 in that group connected to the connector array onside 37 and block 30D being connected to the connector array onside 36. - Thus, in Figure 4, by way of example,
bank 44 is shown arranged for connecting two optical fibres fromside 37, which have been guided to block 30A, to two optical fibres fromside 36, which have been guided to block 30B. As will be appreciated, although not illustrated in Figure 4, each of the four throughpassages 32 in each block has arespective tube 22 connected to its lower end and eachtube 26 may be connected to a selected one of the through-passages at its upper end to form a continuous passageway from one of the connector arrays to one of the banks. - Each
housing 48 in each bank thereof is adapted to locate at least one connection between two optical fibres guided thereto. Each housing also includes storage space for housing excess fibre length and is provided with path defining means for locating the fibres within the housing along paths which do not have bends with radii less than the predetermined minimum bend radius of the optical fibres. - Each
housing 48 in eachbank housing 48 is pivotably mounted with respect to the other housings in its bank about a respectivevertical axis 50 indicated byreference 50 in Figure 4. - The specific details of the configuration of the individual housings will not be described further herein as a detailed understanding thereof is not necessary for understanding the principles of the apparatus. However, the housings may be substantially the same as the housings for housing optical fibre connections disclosed in our co-pending UK Patent Application No. 9320101.0 to which attention is directed if further information is required.
- Each
bank housing 48. - Referring now to Figure 5, a second embodiment, which is a modification of the first embodiment, will be described. Like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the embodiments. The second embodiment differs for the first embodiment in that the
intermediate shelf 16, which slidably supports theshelf 12, is fixedly mounted to the wall, rack or the like, to which thesupport brackets 18 of the first embodiment are mounted, either directly or via mounting brackets. Since theintermediate shelf 16 itself is not slidably mounted, access to theconnector arrays 34 would be limited if the connector arrays were mounted on the shelf extending in the direction of sliding movement as in the first embodiment. Accordingly, in the second embodiment eachconnector array 34 is mounted to theintermediate shelf 16 or a part, such as a rack part, to which theintermediate shelf 16 is fixed, to extend in a direction which is transverse the direction of sliding movement. As seen in Figure 5, theconnector arrays 34 are located to each side of the apparatus at the front thereof and are readily accessible. - The
tubes 22 are arranged in twogroups tubes 22 connected to theconnector array 34 toside 36 of the apparatus have been illustrated by broken lines. - It will be appreciated from the above that each of the disclosed apparatus enables optical fibres to each side of the apparatus to be interconnected in a managed way using the
tubes housings 48 for interconnection therein. It will also be understood that the use of connector blocks 30 for making connections between thetubes - Thus, although in Figure 4 for example
further tube 26A from one of thehousings 48 inbank 44 is connected to throughpassage 32A and thus to thetube 22 fromgroup 40 connected thereto, any of the otherfurther tubes 26 connected to the other housings inbank 44, or if desired to the housings inbank 46, may be connected instead to throughpassage 32A. - Normally the apparatus will be used for interconnecting an optical fibre running on one side of the apparatus to an optical fibre running on the other side thereof. In such a case the
shelf 12 is moved to its extended position to provide access to thebanks housings 48, and in the case of the first embodiment theintermediate shelf 16 is moved to its extended position to provide access to theconnector arrays 34. Aparticular housing 48 is selected for locating the connection and pivoted out of alignment with the other housings in its bank. Arespective tube 22 extending from each of theconnector arrays 34 is connected to a further tube extending from that housing. The fibres are then fed through therespective tubes 22 and further tubes connected thereto into thehousing 48. If theintermediate shelf 16 is slidable, it is then slid back to its retracted position. - The fibres are interconnected, typically by being fusion spliced together, and the interconnection and any excess fibre is located in the housing. The housing is pivoted back into alignment with the other housings in its bank and the
shelf 12 slid back to its retracted position. - Whilst the above description refers to one fibre being fed through each
tube 22 and thefurther tube 26 connected thereto, it is to be understood that this is by way of example only and typically a plurality of fibres are fed through eachtube 22 andfurther tube 26 connected thereto. These may be single fibres provided with individual tight or loose jackets or fibres which are packaged together. The use oftubes 22 andfurther tubes 26 for guiding the optical fibres in the apparatus makes it particularly suited to the known blown fibre technique of installation, disclosed for example in EP-A-0108590. Using this technique an optical fibre assembly for blown installation comprising an optical fibre unit comprising at least one optical fibre is blown through atube 22 and afurther tube 26 connected thereto from the connector of theconnector array 34 to which thetube 22 is connected directly into thehousing 48 to which thefurther tube 26 is connected. - Whilst the above refers to the interconnection of fibres to each side of the apparatus being interconnected, it is to be understood that fibres from the same side may also be interconnected and that also the apparatus may be modified so that a connector array is provided on or to only one side of the apparatus.
Claims (14)
- Apparatus for use in interconnecting optical fibres, comprising a support (12), means (14) for locating interconnections between the fibres on said support (12), support means (16) for slidably supporting said support (12) for movement between a retracted position (Fig. 2) and an extended position, and at least one flexible tube (22) connectable to said support (12) for guiding at least one optical fibre thereto, the or each tube (22) having a substantially helical configuration over at least a portion (24) of its extent locatable behind said support (12) for accommodating said sliding movement of said support.
- Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of said tubes (22), each being connectable to a respective further tube (26) located on said support (12), said further tubes (26) being connected to said interconnection locating means (14).
- Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, comprising tube connector means (28) on said support (12) for connecting said tubes (22) with said further tubes (26), said connector means (28) providing a releasable connection for said tubes and/or said further tubes, whereby each tube is selectively connectable to any one of a plurality of further tubes.
- Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said connector means (28) comprises at least one block (30) providing a plurality of through-passages (32) and means for connecting said tubes and further tubes to respective ends of said through passages.
- Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein said interconnection locating means (14) comprises at least one bank (44, 46) of housings (48) on said support (12), each housing (48) being adapted to locate at least one connection between two optical fibres.
- Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein each housing (48) in said bank (44, 46) is moveable out of alignment with the remainder of said housings thereof for providing access to the or each optical fibre connection located therein.
- Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein associated with the or at least one of said bank (44, 46) of housings (48) is at least one further housing accommodating a passive optical device and provided with input/ output connections for test purposes.
- Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, comprising a connector array (34) locatable on or to at least one of the two opposed sides of the apparatus which extend in the direction of said sliding movement for connecting said tubes (22) to ducting means located to the or each side for ducting optical fibres to the apparatus.
- Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, comprising two of said connector arrays (34), one on or to each of said sides, and wherein said tubes (22) are spaced apart behind said support (12) between said sides, a first group (40) of tubes being closer to one of said sides (36) and a second group (42) of tubes being closer to the other of said sides (37), wherein some of the said first group tubes and some of said second group tubes are connected to the connector array on or to said one side and the remainder of said first group tubes and the remainder of said second group tubes are connected to the connector array on or to said other side.
- Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, when claim 8 is appended to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein two said banks (44, 46) are located on said support (12), a first (44) of which is closer to said one side (36) than said other side and the second (46) of which is closer to said other side (37) than said one side, and wherein said first group (40) of tubes (22) are connected to further tubes (26) connected to said first bank (44) and said second group (42) of tubes (22) are connected to further tubes (26) connected to said second bank (46).
- Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising means (18) for slidably supporting said support means (16) for movement between a retracted position and an extended position in the same direction as said sliding movement of said support (14).
- Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, when appended to claim 8, 9 or 10 wherein the or each connector array (34) is mounted on said support means (16) and extends substantially in the direction of said sliding movement (Fig. 3).
- Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the or each connector array (34) is mounted to said support means (16), or a part to which said support means is fixed, and extends in a direction which is transverse the direction of said sliding movement (Fig. 5).
- Apparatus for use in interconnecting optical fibres comprising a support (12), means (14) for locating interconnections between the fibres on the support (12), tube connector means (28) on the support (12) for connecting a plurality of tubes (22) for guiding optical fibres to the support (12) with respective further tubes (26) connected to said interconnection locating means (14), said connector means (28) providing a releasable connection for said tubes (22) and/or said further tubes (26), whereby each tube is selectively connectable to any one of a plurality of further tubes.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9412368 | 1994-06-20 | ||
GB9412368A GB2291209B (en) | 1994-06-20 | 1994-06-20 | Optical fibre organiser having guiding tube for optical fibre |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0689074A1 true EP0689074A1 (en) | 1995-12-27 |
EP0689074B1 EP0689074B1 (en) | 2002-08-28 |
Family
ID=10757030
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP95303845A Expired - Lifetime EP0689074B1 (en) | 1994-06-20 | 1995-06-06 | Apparatus for use in interconnecting optical fibres |
Country Status (10)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5550947A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0689074B1 (en) |
AU (2) | AU679849B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BR9502251A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2152125C (en) |
DE (1) | DE69527892T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2181753T3 (en) |
GB (2) | GB2291209B (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ272348A (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA955028B (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0922979A1 (en) * | 1997-12-12 | 1999-06-16 | BICC KWO Kabel GmbH | Termination unit for optical fibre cables |
WO2004034116A1 (en) * | 2002-10-11 | 2004-04-22 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Drawer for the management of optical fibers |
US7110654B2 (en) | 2002-10-11 | 2006-09-19 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Array of fiber optic splicing cassettes |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7071824B2 (en) * | 1999-07-29 | 2006-07-04 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Radio frequency identification devices, remote communication devices, identification systems, communication methods, and identification methods |
ES2528768T3 (en) * | 2005-02-16 | 2015-02-12 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Modular cable header for optical networks |
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EP0108590A1 (en) | 1982-11-08 | 1984-05-16 | BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS public limited company | Optical fibre transmission lines |
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-
1995
- 1995-06-05 US US08/464,296 patent/US5550947A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-06-06 ES ES95303845T patent/ES2181753T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-06-06 DE DE69527892T patent/DE69527892T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-06-06 EP EP95303845A patent/EP0689074B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-06-08 AU AU20597/95A patent/AU679849B2/en not_active Expired
- 1995-06-13 NZ NZ272348A patent/NZ272348A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-06-19 ZA ZA955028A patent/ZA955028B/en unknown
- 1995-06-19 CA CA002152125A patent/CA2152125C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-06-20 BR BR9502251A patent/BR9502251A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1997
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FR2515466A1 (en) * | 1981-10-23 | 1983-04-29 | Lignes Telegraph Telephon | Fixing assembly for fibre=optic cables in telephone exchange - comprises series of parallel drawers to protect interconnections for multiway bared cables |
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EP0211208A1 (en) * | 1985-07-30 | 1987-02-25 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Distributor for fibre-optic conductors |
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EP0341027A2 (en) | 1988-05-02 | 1989-11-08 | Gte Control Devices Of Puerto Rico Incorporated | Fiber distribution panel |
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WO1991005281A1 (en) * | 1989-09-29 | 1991-04-18 | Northern Telecom Limited | Connector holders and distribution frame and connector holder assemblies for optical cable |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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EP0922979A1 (en) * | 1997-12-12 | 1999-06-16 | BICC KWO Kabel GmbH | Termination unit for optical fibre cables |
WO2004034116A1 (en) * | 2002-10-11 | 2004-04-22 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Drawer for the management of optical fibers |
US6925241B2 (en) | 2002-10-11 | 2005-08-02 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Drawer for the management of optical fibers |
US7110654B2 (en) | 2002-10-11 | 2006-09-19 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Array of fiber optic splicing cassettes |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
BR9502251A (en) | 1996-01-23 |
AU679849B2 (en) | 1997-07-10 |
GB2312969A8 (en) | 1998-02-05 |
AU2008497A (en) | 1997-07-10 |
DE69527892D1 (en) | 2002-10-02 |
ZA955028B (en) | 1996-02-08 |
GB2312969A (en) | 1997-11-12 |
CA2152125A1 (en) | 1995-12-21 |
GB2291209B (en) | 1998-04-01 |
AU2059795A (en) | 1996-01-04 |
CA2152125C (en) | 1997-11-18 |
US5550947A (en) | 1996-08-27 |
EP0689074B1 (en) | 2002-08-28 |
GB2291209A (en) | 1996-01-17 |
AU692732B2 (en) | 1998-06-11 |
NZ272348A (en) | 1997-01-29 |
GB9713439D0 (en) | 1997-08-27 |
DE69527892T2 (en) | 2003-05-28 |
GB2312969B (en) | 1998-04-01 |
ES2181753T3 (en) | 2003-03-01 |
GB9412368D0 (en) | 1994-08-10 |
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